MANCHESTER -- Thirty of New Hampshire’s most consumer-savvy teenagers will compete for the title of NH LifeSmarts State Champion when they meet at Southern NH University in Manchester March 13th. Organized by the New Hampshire Jump$tart Coalition. LifeSmarts is a powerful educational opportunity that teaches teenagers in Grades 9-12 to be smart, responsible, and successful consumers. The March 13th competition will be an exciting seven match elimination tournament using a game show/quiz bowl format. The invited Question Masters for the State Championship are Catherine Provencher, NH State Treasurer, Jeff Feingold, Editor of the NH Business Review; Joe Murray, Public Affairs Director for Fidelity Investments, Mark Hebert of the Harbor Group, and Sean McDonald of WMUR-TV.

Six teams compiled the top scores and earned the right to meet for the state crown after several weeks of study and on-line competition. The State Champion team will travel to Atlanta to compete in the National competition in April, with all major costs being defrayed by NH Jump$tart, through the generosity of Sovereign Bank, Hampshire First Bank and Fidelity Investments.

NH Jump$tart President Daniel Hebert explained that “LifeSmarts allows teens to be aware of the financial opportunities to build a better future, as well as the scams and frauds, and health and safety risks that are part of everyday life. Given the current economic climate, we believe that LifeSmarts should be part of e very high school student’s education.”

LifeSmarts focuses on five key areas of consumer knowledge teens need to function safely and profitably: Personal Finance; Health and Safety; the Environment; Technology; and Consumer Rights and Responsibilities. Teens gain a solid understanding of their rights and responsibilities and workplace protections, and develop teamwork, self-esteem, verbal communication skills, leadership abilities, and at the same time have fun competing.

Established in 2000, NH Jump$tart is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the personal financial education of students throughout New Hampshire. It’s corps of volunteers is dedicated to helping young people better prepare for the challenges posed by today’s more complex marketplace of goods and services. For more information about NH Jump$tart, NH LifeSmarts, other activities promoting sound personal money management skills, and free resources for students and teachers, visit: www.nhjumpstart.org.